so i make a char array for incoming GPS data stuff the array and refer to it as a byte array? (byte *)gps_data, [gps_data]that is realy a char array and (byte *) says hey hop in there and pull the value because we are the same size anyhow? strlen(gps_data) is something like sizeof() but it's get the string gps_data that is size of gps_data? or is the lack of sleep catching up now? lol

great so step one char array of size to fit a gps.sentance in fill it call it with a (byte *) call, get it's count with strln() "string length?" transmit refill the array and repeat till all the NEMA is sent.sound like i missed anything?

Welp can check "some" sleep of the list . anyhow im feeling a bit dorky more than usual i cant seem to grasp how to stuff gps.sentence into an array or some buffer. gps.sentence returns a string with \0 terminate as a char * ( char ptr?). so i keep getting invalid conversions from char* to char errors. so am i to understand i am dealing with output from gps.sentence that is in the form of a char ptr and need to (read) it some how into some string then convert the string into regular char array?. as im typing this i can hear your groan as you ask "does this guy like over complicating things a little?".because i know your going to go NO you just need to reference some ptr and read the individual chars and put them into your array. or not LOL.i just know i am gonna love your reply i just know it!

BTW thank you so much for all the help i have been learning so much from your guidance.

it does print the first char a $ to the serial but that's it. or is it some kind of an array in inData like inData[sizeof(payload)] kind of deal and i need to scan the with of inData the size of payload and pull each char?

would switching to RF24 lib be better for all the stuff i am trying to do?http://maniacbug.github.com/RF24/maniacbug has also documented this quite well it seems.

it's becoming more and more clear to me i need to make some kind of structured data function to pool all my data types in and transmit them and pool them back into some structured function or database.

i get a lot more RF control with with RF24 so i think ill port over to that now while i wait for your reply.

so i guess what im asking is with all the IMU GPS Ultrasonic and other sensor data is it best to make some data collection thing on the bot and transmit it and pull it apart on the RX side? this is becoming a lot of data now especially with the GPS stuff that alot of NMEA data lol.

how would YOU oh sage master programer PaulS collect and store all this data for local bot use as well as send for base station use?

im enjoying this challenge tho i cant say a lot but it is rewarding and very helpful in learning programing that is for sure.

hmmmm. ok not what i was hoping to do. i would like to do is read in the first 100 chars form serial2 and out that in 1 array and print to to serial so not $$$$$$$ then next line GGGGGG etc i should be $GPRMC*** etc.

can you comment my code and show where elements are being created because i have 1 array named GpsStr[100] already i just want to stuff that one with the first 100 chars print it(for now, hopefully send ti to some struct or union and convert it and send it.)

From what you said it seems like i am making a new array and fulling it with 1 char x 100 printing it and filling it with the next char and printing that x 100 for as long as loop runs. i figure if im going to learn arrays and pointers and structs and unions and type casting i need to start at the beginning.

So making 1 array and stuffing it with serial data i figured would be the simple start lol.

char Sr = Serial2.read(); //Initialize Sr and give it a value = to Serial2.read int i; create i and make it size of int for (i = 0; i < sizeof(GpsStr); i = i + 1) { // Start a conditional loop count up from 0 to size of GpsStr wich is 100 and preform an action contained in {}. GpsStr[i] = Sr; // Take the contence of Sr 'Serial2.Read()' and stuff it in GpsStr at 'i' pos 'i' is equal to the current number the loop has counted form 0 to 100 } // Ok made it form 0 -100 and stuffed Sr into each continue with main loop